Public Private Partnerships in Austria. Stock-taking Analysis and Trends

Public Private Partnership (PPP) refers to a co-operation between public sector and private companies. PPP schemes aim to tap the financial power, specific know-how and efficiency of the private sector for the benefit of public projects. Auditing reports and interviews served as sources to identify the PPP experience obtained by the Federal government, SCHIG (Railway Infrastructure Services Company) and ASFINAG. It was found that major PPP projects such as the SCHIG "Wind and Climate Tunnel" were cost- and time-efficient. The cost of the SCHIG Railway Terminal in Graz Werndorf was significantly below its original estimate. An analysis in 2008 by Austria's National Audit Office of the strengths and weaknesses of the motorway concession PPP model of ASFINAG found no significant advantage of the PPP model over traditional procurement methods. It is expected that the PPP project cannot be refinanced with toll fees during the current concession period up to 2039.